There are some things that I wish I could have told myself back when I was in middle school.. maybe I wouldn't have been so hard on myself if I just knew these things. One day, when I have a daughter, these will be some of the things I tell her when she is going through a rough time. We all go through some things that were hard and changed us but they made us who we are today. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

Here are some of those things...

1. The most important lesson you are going to learn in life is that loving yourself is the best thing you can ever do.
   
   
2. “Emo bangs” no matter how many times you tell yourself… will never look cute. It’s okay to experiment but just don't shave half your head again.
3. Having divorced parents is really tough. Never blame yourself for them splitting… Never feel guilty… Your parents love you no matter what and them splitting up will never change their love for you… ever…
4. ^^ 2 homes means double the presents at holidays! (I used to tell myself this because Christmas is always a tough time…)
5. Your best friend may not be your best friend forever. Sometimes people drift apart because they need to do some growing up to do. Never regret the memories you made with certain people because at one point in your life they were the reason you laughed a lot.
6. The most unexpected people may become your best friends. The person who sticks by your side through thick and thin. The one who isn’t afraid to be real with you… keep them close… they are the most important.
7. Falling in love is going to be very scary because no one wants to get their heart broken… but once you find that one person who makes your days a little brighter… it will all fall into place.
8. “Everything happens for a reason.” Good or bad… these cards were dealt to you for a reason so use them for your advantage.
9. Grades are not everything. Yes... in a sense they are but do not let it consume you. It’s okay to struggle and it is okay to ask for help! Be adventurous. Don't be so busy working that you forget to build a life for yourself. Take trips, go out with friends, get in the car and just drive to see where you end up.
   
   
10. Stop wasting your time worrying about the opinions of people who don't matter. Nothing can define you unless you let it. You are who you decide to be and that is all that matters.
11. Stop letting a number on a scale or whether or not you think your beautiful effect who you are. No number can define your personality because it is not who you are. You are beautiful… flaws and all. There are more important things than being “skinny” or “Cool”. You are beautiful. You are worth it.
12. It’s okay NOT to be okay. You do not have to be happy all of the time. Life is a rollercoaster. There will be ups and there will definitely be downs. It’s okay to be broken hearted, it’s okay to be hurt or scared or anxious. It is important to remember it is just a bad day and NOT a bad life. You can get through whatever this is. No amount of starving yourself or cutting will take away the pain. You are strong and you will get through this.
13. Stop being afraid of being yourself. Be weird. Be crazy. And just love who you are because I can promise you… everyone else loves you too! You are badass. You are fantastic. You are strong, you are beautiful. No one should or can tell you who to be. You will do great things.
14. Cherish the time you have with your loved ones because you never know when their last day may be. You are never too old to spend time with your siblings, grandparents or parents. You are who you are because of these people who raised you. This one goes out too all the people I have lost in my life and to my friends who have recently lost parents and family members. Cherish the moments you spent with them.
15. Be smart with your money…please… you do not need new makeup or clothes every week. You worked too hard for your money to just blow it all away on stupid things. Save some and out it aside for when you want to go out with friends but don't make it an everyday or every weekend thing… it’s better for you in the long run.
16. This is only the beginning. Life has so many things to throw at you and high school is only the beginning. Right now you are only in your sophomore year of college… you have 3 more years of amazing memories with amazing people you will come across. Friends will change. You will become stronger and it will be the beginning of bigger and better things.